Beach babe

Utter summer inspiration.  Doutzen for Vogue UK January issue.

Orange on my mind

Olivia Palermo rocking the Victoria Beckham has totally sent me into orange-love-overdrive for next season.  Bit of St Tropez and I'm set.  Maybe not head to toe but certainly at least an accessory.

What colour are you looking forward to wearing when the season changes?

Country Road

Asos

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Essie

J Crew

NAP

NAP

Sigh

“Listen. Say yes. Live in the moment. Make sure you play with people who have your back. Make big choices early and often. Don’t start a scene where two people are talking about jumping out of a plane. Start the scene having already jumped.” - —Amy Poehler

CHANEL LOVE

I love this dress and I love how Cam has worn it so minimal.  10/10!

Right now

Sunday night

• reading Vogue
• playing with the Nars duo in Rajasthan
• writing a birthday card and wrapping gift
• admiring my new Amrita Singh earrings (as worn by Serena in the Gossip Girl season finale)
• painting nails Essie Chinchilly
• filing my fashion journal with outfits I want to wear this week

Tomorrow I'm going to study.. I promise!

"I am simply looking for beauty, whatever that is - it's nothing that can be explained - only felt. If I find it in a single bowl, or wandering line of pits, good. I am grateful" - Potter

Happy Monday from a FREEZING Melbourne...

X

“Beauty is a form of genius - is higher, indeed, than genius, as it needs no explanation. It is of the great facts in the world like sunlight, or springtime, or the reflection in dark water of that silver shell we call the moon.”

Rainy days

It's been raining non stop for the past 4 days and dare I say not much will change for the next 4.

A couple of images inspiring me at the moment...

Camel coats

Clear umbrellas

Chunky knits

New seasons..

We are being spoilt by very lovely autumn days filled with sunshine and midday warmth.  Even though I am no fan of the colder weather, I have to admit that it does bring with it certain charms that I am looking forward to.

I'm also looking forward to sharing with you all the final results of my home renovation and decoration.  Last bits and pieces should be arriving this month. 

I'm looking forward to my very first Pascha (Easter) in the new house. Painting eggs, cooking traditional pork and baking an elaborate torte decorated by chocolate Easter eggs.  Maybe I will use the 5 day holiday to finally try to master at least one recipe from Gourmet Traveller. I'm not sure if I'm a bad home cook or if the recipes are just too hard and the ingredients far too difficult to source. Plus I'm on the wrong side of my birthday.  5 months away I know, but as September draws closer I get more anxious. You're probably reading this and thinking - crazy woman - and you're probably right.  Lock me away (until the birthday passes)

Apart from the seasonal change in colours (and leaves that I now have to sweep twice a week) cold weather brings...

Lots of cups of tea... At the moment I'm obsessed with T2 Sencha Mango.  An amazing light and sweet mango green tea.

A desire to decorate the house with flowers to give it a bit of light and brighten the mood.

The same couple of coats means a focus on accessories, shoes and bags to change up the look.

Every now and then some couch time on a cold Sunday is good for the soul.

Cashmere knee high socks.  Need I say more.

Scarves.  I can't get enough right now.

photos via tumblr/various sources.

Wishful Wednesday

It's been a long and hard week and it's only Wednesday morning.  There is just so much going on and I don't really like to write when I'm feeling blue.  Joy is for sharing and I'm sure this anxiety and stress will pass with time.  The phone makes me jumpy, no amount of sleep is enough...  I cannot find a book shelf that's the right size for the corner so my books are languishing in boxes.  A pet hate.  Weeks after moving in there's still things in boxes.  And they're some of my favourite things.  The custom made dining table is taking far too long.  As is the couch.  The old furniture is doing the lovely open space no justice at all.

Some inspiration and wishes this Wednesday includes...

Fall and winter foot wear.  After 4 years of freezing feet, I think I'm sorted for the upcoming winter.  The below black booties tempted me in the nude suede, but I think the black leather is a smarter option.  Warm, dry feet here I come.  Not to mention how surprisingly comfortable they are.

Speaking of beige suede, I couldn't resist these for the weekends.  Teamed with floral skirts, tights and oversized knits/aviator jackets.

After much searching for a floral mini skirt for winter, I find one on ASOS for £9.00 and free shipping! Did someone say it's meant to be??

My mum hasn't been to visit in almost 18 months.  She's coming in 3 weeks and I'm petrified.  She's very particular about everything including the way I fold my tea towels, the order in which I hang up my clothes on the line, the colour of my nail polish... just to name a few.  I think I need to go into domestic lock down to prepare for her arrival.  And I still haven't touched my front garden, which needs a LOT of work.  Can someone send me their gardener and pool boy, please?  Or more realistically, provide me some useful advise for my first (winter) front garden. 

An autumn trip to the Barossa Valley is locked in.. I cannot wait until May.  Better start putting my play money away for some serious bottles of wine to bring home...

Kisses x

Wishful Wednesday

How quickly this year is already flying.  Summer is now behind us - not that we even had one - (apparently this past summer was the wettest in Melbourne on record as well as the 6th coldest - no wonder the white linen dress is sitting unworn).

My new home is beginning to take shape, even though there's still plenty of work to do.  Hoping to return to regular post writing/return visits shortly.

Haven't done a Wishful Wednesday post in a long time, so here's to returning to old ways.

I wish the impossible task of finding a new coat for winter was a little bit easier.  Kicking myself for not getting the perfect camel coat from Zara when I was overseas at Christmas.

Wishing for an occasion to dress up.

Already missing summer.  Had such a perfect weekend at the beach.. post coming up very soon.

I've had this quote saved on my computer for a while now.. His alleged recent actions are very distressing though.

Friday inspiration...

I have a day off renovating/packing/unpacking/moving tomorrow.  Am immensely looking forward to indulging in my favourite things...

Making the most of the last few warm days in Melbourne.  We haven't even had a realy summer.. sigh

Smiling for the first time in weeks (and wishing I had such amazing hair)

Playing with top knots..

The beach.. beach and more beach

Hopefully, fingers and TOES crossed that I'll be sleeping in my own bed on Sunday night.. Hurry up and dry polish

And more beach.. think I need to shoot some photos there tomorrow.. now to dig up an outfit from one of the 19 boxes spread between 3 houses....

Bon weekend to all x

(all images via tumblr)